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aircooled356
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2006
Posts: 500
Location: Yosemite, CA
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 Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 11:46 am Post subject: Tired of sanding! How much is enough? Help... |
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Well, I decided to cut and replace all of the cancer on my 57' Baja late last year. Found more than I thought....seems like that is always the case. Also found a couple of bullet holes thru the B pillar and a shit load of bondo.  This was my first attempt at serious bodywork but I've enjoyed it alot except for the tedious task of getting it perfectly straight. So, I am at the point of skim coating the low spots with bondo and knocking it down progressively with 60,120 and 220 grit. I'm at the 220 stage now but I've got some mild wave action going on but it must only be a few thou difference. I'm using a paint stick for a sanding board which is working well. Does it have to be perfect before primer or is that what final blocking is for? This is my first real attempt at bodywork and paint (did sand and paint a 32' school bus back in the day but I'm looking for a more professional result). I thought this little body would be a snap but......man I'm sick of the sanding and dust all over my nice garage! Hopefully someone will tell me that the blocking will go more quickly.  |
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spook
Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2003
Posts: 2038
Location: in the shop 35750
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Mike Fisher
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006
Posts: 18052
Location: Eugene, OR
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| Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 12:01 pm Post subject: |
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Rattle can some red oxide primer on some spots and you can see if it's perfect. 320 grit is as high as I go before epoxy primer.
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69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey |
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aircooled356
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2006
Posts: 500
Location: Yosemite, CA
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| Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:42 pm Post subject: |
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| Bummer. I guess I'll keep sanding away at it. Can I primer over 220 or should I go to 320? |
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spook
Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2003
Posts: 2038
Location: in the shop 35750
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dawerks
Samba Member
Joined: September 15, 2010
Posts: 2349
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| Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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Sucks huh? 
You can wet sand once your high build is on so that gets rid of all the mess. And if you spray with water, that's how it will look when it's painted.
(I'm in the same boat dude, it's not fun at all, and my helper is not that good haha).
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"There is only one sin; disconnection from self." |
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TonysGarage
Banned
Joined: December 11, 2010
Posts: 419
Location: Orange County, CA
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| Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:30 pm Post subject: |
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unfortunately, once you think you're done with the sanding---you're gonna have to go once more.
but--let me caution you--and i'm surprised nobody has said anything yet--i wouldn't be surprised if many of the waves are caused by sanding with a paint stick. if your block isnt dead on flat--you will be creating small waves instead of removing them---with all that work its a shame not to spend a few bucks and get a block.
just to give you an idea---about 4 years ago i had a customer who was doing his own bodywork swing by and ask for some advice cause he could not get the wave out--he said he spend maybe 8 hours sanding but it never helped--i glanced at his block and noticed it wasn't flat---he was wasting TONS of time!--within 15 minutes i had it all straightened out with a proper block.
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I dont take shortcuts, i put care and pride into all i do--for a fair price of course |
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dawerks
Samba Member
Joined: September 15, 2010
Posts: 2349
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| Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 9:56 pm Post subject: |
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On blocks, when is it a good time to chuck them? I have durablocs but I noticed one of my favorite ones has the edge a little bit rounded off. Does that mean it's a toss??
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"There is only one sin; disconnection from self." |
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aircooled356
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2006
Posts: 500
Location: Yosemite, CA
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| Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 9:04 am Post subject: |
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| TonysGarage wrote: |
unfortunately, once you think you're done with the sanding---you're gonna have to go once more.
but--let me caution you--and i'm surprised nobody has said anything yet--i wouldn't be surprised if many of the waves are caused by sanding with a paint stick. if your block isnt dead on flat--you will be creating small waves instead of removing them---with all that work its a shame not to spend a few bucks and get a block.
just to give you an idea---about 4 years ago i had a customer who was doing his own bodywork swing by and ask for some advice cause he could not get the wave out--he said he spend maybe 8 hours sanding but it never helped--i glanced at his block and noticed it wasn't flat---he was wasting TONS of time!--within 15 minutes i had it all straightened out with a proper block. |
Well, as this is my first real attempt at doing it right, I have wasted many hours for sure but I'm learning alot in the process. Gotta put in the time I guess. If it was easy everyone would be doing it.  I did buy a block (2 3/4"x12" foam type) but it is more flexible than the stick. Maybe I should give it another try. Thanks for all of the advice. |
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beetlenut
Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2009
Posts: 3012
Location: RI
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| Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:22 am Post subject: |
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I bought this 3M one and have been very happy with the results so far!
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JerryMCarter1
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Joined: January 07, 2007
Posts: 6199
Location: N.W. Phoenix
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| Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 11:21 am Post subject: |
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(2 3/4"x12" foam type)
Is way to big of a block for the curves
Hopefully you are sanding only the flat spots with this !
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JerryMCarter1
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| Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 11:23 am Post subject: |
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On second thought-- is there any way you can work with someone and have them mentor you for the first few jobs ?
The tricks of the trade are not well explained unless one is in person - watching and then suggesting
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aircooled356
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2006
Posts: 500
Location: Yosemite, CA
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| Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 11:56 am Post subject: |
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| Yes, I've only used it on the doors so far. Not many flat areas on these cars! As far as mentoring, the closest shop is nearly an hour away. I'll figure this out sooner or later......most likely later. |
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eshan2
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Joined: July 10, 2002
Posts: 271
Location: Denver North Carolina
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| Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 1:30 pm Post subject: |
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Work in an X pattern this will help alot along with a proper block.I posted this in another thread the other day they are what I have and are very good.A little pricey but worth it.
http://www.tcpglobal.com/autobodydepot/afssanders.aspx
Now you know why this work is so expensive to hire out.nothing is really "cheap"
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Foxx
Uncle Meat
Joined: August 27, 2001
Posts: 4897
Location: at the computer,.......DUH!
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:30 am Post subject: Re: Tired of sanding! How much is enough? Help... |
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| aircooled356 wrote: |
| ::snip:: .man I'm sick of the sanding and dust all over my nice garage! Hopefully someone will tell me that the blocking will go more quickly. |
pay someone to do it or stop now and let it look like poop.
bodywork is not like replacing brakes or doing a motor,
it is done when you are happy with it,..ain't happy? then you ain't done.
ain't done but tired,..paint will look like shit for half measures.
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Frank
OG JHC
59 panel
Sarcasm is the body's natural defense against stupidity. i seem to use a lot.
Last edited by Foxx on Sat Apr 02, 2011 11:03 am; edited 1 time in total |
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JerryMCarter1
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Joined: January 07, 2007
Posts: 6199
Location: N.W. Phoenix
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 9:00 am Post subject: |
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You so not need to find a shop == they will just tell you whatever they need to say to get you to spend money there
You need someone that has done it before to help you out -- for free !
Just try to do that -- just ask -- like on Craig’s list or here in the Samba -- take time to ask around
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Mike Fisher
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006
Posts: 18052
Location: Eugene, OR
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 9:49 am Post subject: |
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If you had it All in red oxide primer you could See all the bad spots that need more work and drive it while you work on it.
_________________
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey |
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aircooled356
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2006
Posts: 500
Location: Yosemite, CA
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| Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 7:29 pm Post subject: Re: Tired of sanding! How much is enough? Help... |
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| Foxx wrote: |
| aircooled356 wrote: |
| ::snip:: .man I'm sick of the sanding and dust all over my nice garage! Hopefully someone will tell me that the blocking will go more quickly. |
pay someone to do it or stop now and let it look like poop.
bodywork is not like replacing brakes or doing a motor,
it is done when you are happy with it,..ain't happy? then you ain't done.
ain't done but tired,..paint will look like shit for half measures. |
Exactly. That's why I'm asking how far to go. Consensus is get it straight before primer. I will not give up or take it to someone after all of this hard work. I can feel the areas needing work so I will press on. I'm on a mission...and when I'm satisfied with it I will move on to the next step. |
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JerryMCarter1
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Joined: January 07, 2007
Posts: 6199
Location: N.W. Phoenix
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| Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 9:20 pm Post subject: |
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Yosemite
ya got the right stuff !
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Foxx
Uncle Meat
Joined: August 27, 2001
Posts: 4897
Location: at the computer,.......DUH!
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| Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 5:31 am Post subject: Re: Tired of sanding! How much is enough? Help... |
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| aircooled356 wrote: |
| Foxx wrote: |
| aircooled356 wrote: |
| ::snip:: .man I'm sick of the sanding and dust all over my nice garage! Hopefully someone will tell me that the blocking will go more quickly. |
pay someone to do it or stop now and let it look like poop.
bodywork is not like replacing brakes or doing a motor,
it is done when you are happy with it,..ain't happy? then you ain't done.
ain't done but tired,..paint will look like shit for half measures. |
Exactly. That's why I'm asking how far to go. Consensus is get it straight before primer. I will not give up or take it to someone after all of this hard work. I can feel the areas needing work so I will press on. I'm on a mission...and when I'm satisfied with it I will move on to the next step. |
Bravo!
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Frank
OG JHC
59 panel
Sarcasm is the body's natural defense against stupidity. i seem to use a lot. |
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